Laws should be designed to protect people from harm. Law enforcement is designed to hold people accountable for their actions.

With that said, you also have spirit and intent versus the letter of the law. Common sense should prevail! Unfortunately it doesn't always work that way.

That is why we have judges and a court system to interpret.

I really kinda disagree with laws that are "sin" laws or laws of morality. Example would be the old "blue" laws that prohibited people from buying alcohol on Sundays. Societies mores and values should determine how a particular society or subculture decides to handle these type of things.